For the Purdue basketball team, the goal is a simple one now that the calendar has rolled to mid-March — survive and advance to play another day.
That is exactly what the Boilermakers did Friday afternoon, surviving a pesky Michigan State team and an injury to point guard Braden Smith to move into the semi-finals Saturday against Wisconsin.
For the second time this season, Purdue basketball (29-3) knocked off Michigan State, this time 67-62 in the Big Ten Tournament quarterfinal at the Target Center in Minneapolis. The win, however, did not come easy.
“It was a hard fought win for us. Michigan State outrebounded us and that’s a tough group. I think when you play them, your ability to stop them in transition and get them off the glass while also defending a lot of guys who can make shots. We did a good job defending them, but wasn’t as efficient. Our guys hung in there and got some really good defensive stops,” Purdue basketball coach Matt Painter said.
And, it did not come without the Purdue faithful holding its collective breath as Smith went down after being bumped on a traveling call. Smith was down for several minutes before getting help to the locker room before returning to the game minutes later. Smith, who was hampered by early foul trouble, watched Purdue build a 34-27 halftime lead behind the play of Zach Edey.
Painter said he thought the Boilermakers played well without Smith.
“I thought we played well when we didn’t have him in there. Obviously, they made a bit of a run there but it wasn’t self-inflicted. I thought we hung in there. Having a game like that and pull it out when everything’s not clicking and making stops, just kind of grind that victory out. Thought we defended their guys really well and was a good sign for our team,” Painter said.
Painter said it made it better for him when Smith told him it was his calf and not a knee or an ankle. Now will Smith continue to play?
“Ask the doctors and trainers because he’s one of those guys that wants to play, can we do more damage to it. If the answer is yes, then he probably doesn’t need to play. If the answer is no, then he will definitely play,” Painter said.
Edey said despite Smith being out, it allowed other players to showcase what they can do.
“We just have a lot of guys that can step up. We have a lot of guys that can play a lot of different roles and fill a lot of different shoes. We have a lot of guys that can play,” Edey said.
One of those guys was Fletcher Loyer, who drilled a three pointer to give Purdue basketball a 59-56 lead with just over a minute left. Xavier Booker had a chance to tie the game, but missed and Edey scored on the ensuing possession to put the Boilermakers up five and give them some breathing room.
Edey finished with 29 points and 12 rebounds.
